Where the Meadow Reaches the Sea

Where the meadow reaches the sea a chance upon the wind that takes the two and makes them seem as if there is no seam. Long gone in the past she stands in wonder looking back over her life watching in her mind’s eye as the years past. As one went into another seeing how her God sustained her through it all. She watched the tide coming in crashing along the shore line she watched as the wind whipped through the grasses of the meadow lifting the branches of the Weeping Willow that stood guard over the brook that wound its way down the the sea babbling over the smooth stones that her and her sister played among as young girls. They were a Martha and Mary type of sisters that were never far from each other in even their married life and missions works they always lived right up the lane or arround the corners and as women old in years they had moved back to their childhood house both widowed now with grown kids and grandchildren working on the next generation. “ God has been good to me” she thought as she turned to take the path down to the sea. Today was a day for reflection and celebrating. Today was a day to dance for her Lord. Joy filled her heart as she reached the ocean and heard it pound loudly against the shore. Psalms 29:3 came to her mind. She metated on it. “My Lord can be heard over the waters even these Mighty waters.” She spun around as a young child may as she let her joy fill the moment. She was never alone not even when her beloved younger sister was not with her. She had an unwavering faith borne in her by her parents before her and theirs before them. Rebecca came from a long line of Pastors and Missionaries, she was born into it and also married into it. Her children continued the tradition and her grand daughter was getting ready to follow in her father’s footsteps. She was proud of her small family and their faith. Each coming to the faith in their own way each having their own battle to stay above the waters. -------------------------- “Papa look” Miriam pointed towards the docks as their ship came into port in Hong Kong. “what’s that hill called?” she asked looking back at her father full of joy as this was her first Missions trip. “I believe my dear that is Victoria’s peak but I’m not sure. We’ll learn soon enough though my little ripple.” He placed her back down on the deck of the ship and she took off looking for her older sister eager to show and tell her about the little hill with so many house like back in New England where their grandparents had settled in their retirement. “Rebecca come see” she burst into the cabin their family shared and tugged on her sisters sleve “Miriam I need to get all the bags packed and ready to disembark. Mama still isn’t feeling well and Dad has to talk to the captian.” Miriam pouted at her sister but sat on the bunk they shared “then can we go look?” she asked crossing her arms over her chest “ Well it’d go quicker if you helped Miriam” Miriam hopped off the bed and ran about the cabin picking up as she went. She wasn’t a spoiled child as the youngest thus far of the Worthington-Kingsly children she knew chores and how to help but it was not expected of her on a regular basis. “Okay Miriam we’re all packed we can go now.” Miriam took her big sisters hand and almost dragged her to observation deck where her and their father had been watching as the view passed by. “Look Miriam you can still just see it! See that hill it looks just like Grammy and Pop Pop’s hill back in the New Englands.” Rebecca smiled at her little sister “it’s called New England my dearest not The New Englands” She almost laughed at her but didn’t want to upset the child. Rebecca was 7 years older then her sister who was qiute the surprise at the time of her birth with their family just coming back from ministrying in Africa. And at 4 years old Miriam was still learning and they were headed to Hong Kong for 2 years to interm for a couple while they were state side raising their funds for they’re last leg of their 8 year span to the country. “Rebecca do you think Mama is pregnant again?” Miriam asked their mother who had had many Miscargage before Miriam and at least 2 since had been sick since before they left much like the pervious times before. “I don’t Miriam but if she is we need to take care of her and pick up as much of the work as we can. We don’t want her doing to much and losing this baby too.” Rebecca looked out over the Harbor it was peaceful right now. She knew from the past that this would not last long soon they would be thrust into chaos. “Rebecca if Mama is pregnant do you think it’s another girl?” Rebecca looked at her sister holding her hand she knelt down “No matter what it is Mir it will be a blessing from God. Whether it is born to soon or it growns into a strong adult God still sent him or her to bless us.” Miriam pouted “Mama and Papa need a boy. I hope it’s a boy. Then he can do all the messy chores.” Rebecca stood up laughing “sure he’ll need to grow up some first you couldn’t do anything as a baby. I still had to do most of the chores Miriam.” the two sister stood watching as the ship pulled into dock and the crew went about preparing for the passengers to disembark. “But I do chores now Becca” Miriam said almost trumphantly “Yes you do when you remember to” They stood for a few more minutes before walking back to the cabin and their parents before entering Rebecca took Miriam aside “Mir we don’t say anything to mama and papa about mama possibly being pregnant again we let them tell us okay Miriam promise me” Miraim looked at her older sister “I hope it’s not to much longer before they tell then.” Rebecca looked down at her little sister “Miriam” she said giving her a look “Fine but I won’t like it not telling them we know” Rebecca smiled “but we don’t not yet Mir” They entered the cabin Rebecca issuing Miriam in infront of her making sure she didn’t try to run off back out the door to get under the crews feet. “There you both are come over here and help Mama with the bags. They need to go by the door Papa hired some of the crew to get them off to the house so we don’t have to lug them up and down all of Hong Kong.” their Mama looked exhausted the trip had been hard on her and she’d rested a great deal of it. The crew had been good to the small Missions family often taking the girls under wing about the ship showing them the kitchen and letting them help with the food prep. The captain had even taken them to his offices different times letting them play with the instruments “Play is how they learn and love what they do.” he’d told their parents one evening after bringing them back. “ I don’t mind it one bit. Reminds me of my girls when they were little. My wife and I took them everywhere with us. It’s good for them.” Dorothy picked up her shawl from the bed where she’d layed it and headed out the cabin doors touching her hand to her belly as she did so. “See Becca” Miriam whispered to her sister. “Not now Mir remember you promised” Miriam watched their mother as they headed to disembark “I know Becca.” she rolled her eyes. Their father met them “you remember what you needed for now” he asked his wife holding her close to him as they headed down the gangplank. “Yes dear I even grabbed your coat you left on the desk chair in the cabin” she said holding it up for him to see “ I knew I left it somewhere. Now where would I be without you my dear.” he beamed down at his wife. “I’m not one hundred percent sure my dearest” They walked towards a waiting carriage to take them to the Church which was a little more than a miles walk from where they would be staying. “And how are we feeling today my love? Not to sick as before” Dorothy beamed up at her husband “I think the worst is over for now. Not too much longer.” he gave is wife a squeeze as they sat down opposite the girls. “Not to much longer till what Mama?” Miriam piped up. Their parent exchanged a look “Go ahead Joshua it’s far enough now I think we’ll go to term” Dorothy said placing her hand lovingly on her stomach. “Well your going to be a big sister Miriam dearest.” Miriam looked to her parents “Mama needs to rest then because she was really bad last time. So bad God took my baby sister before she was fully baked. Remember Papa.” Rebecca ribbed her sister “Miriam Mama doesn’t need to be reminded” “It’s okay Becca your sister is only speaking the truth the last couple of pregnancies weren’t easy on me at all but this time is different I’ve felt it in prayer this one God has ordained to be with us to grow strong.” Miriam c****d her head to the side “Like a boy Mama I want a baby brother this time so he can do all the messy chores” both parents looking at each other laughed out loud “yes if that’s God’s will then a boy.” ----- Miriam watched the lighthouse out the kitchen window as she washed the dishes. Thomas would be getting there anytime when had she exchanged rolls with her older sister worrying over cleaning and dirty dishes. Their brother Thomas was finally coming home to retire from the Missions fields. Miriam still vividly remembered the day she’d learned he was on the way. In a carriage riding through their parents first Missions time since her birth. “Bert do you think Mama knew all she was in for then” Miriam asked the German Shepard at her feet “I think she did just like Mary knew she would endor great heartache as the mother of Jesus. Though we kids were no saints growing up except maybe Becca she was the dutiful daughter taking care of Mama and Thomas and Myself and later Desmond and Charles Mama and Papa’s wards from the Philippines.” The dog shifted in his place but did not move watching his mistress. “Mama never minded though Bert. She always said but for the Glory of God he’s in control of it all.” She placed the plate she was rinsing in the drying rack “Oh for those long ago days back Bert. Oh to see Mama and Papa and hear their laughter again. Oh for heaven to come.” Bert looked out the window watching for his other woman to reapear down the path she had disappeared. ------- “Mama you need to wait Papa went for the doctor. Just don’t push” Rebecca stood next to their mother as she labored to deliver the baby. “Becca you can’t wait when your having a baby you’ll understand someday” she said through contractions and pushing. Rebecca was besides herself trying to keep her mother calm. The rest of the pregnancy had gone smoothly it was the delivery that was taking to long and was being hard on her. She’d been in labor for well over 4 days with no results. “Rebecca come get Miriam and the two of you go to the market and get fresh veggies and whatever fruit they have and a chicken for dinner.” their father walked through the door with the doctor just then. “Papa, Mama needs me can’t Nanny take Miriam?” Rebecca asked almost pleaded she did not want to leave her mother’s side. “Becca I want to stay and help you too.” Miriam whined “take your sister with you Rebecca Aliza and go to the market!” Papa scolded her. Rebecca had never heard her father use her full name in such a way so she knew it was serious. But she did as she was told dressing her sister in her coat and walking out the door with the money her father gave her “get some peppermint candies if they have any or those ginger root ones which ever you wish” he said kissing them both on the forehead as they walked out the door “hopefully your sibling is here for you to adore when you get back” the walked out the door and he closed it behind them. “Will Mama be alright” Miriam asked the question burning in both their hearts “I don’t know Mir. She’s been in labor 4 days now and the doctor just got back from the country. I just hope he’s breach like the midwife said.” Rebecca looked back towards the house. The Midwife had just left before Papa had gotten back with the doctor and mama had been showing signs of some distress then Rebecca prayed as she walked to the market and the whole time they were there that Thomas Michael would be qiuck about coming into the world now that the doctor was there and that her Mama would be alright. ------